High School and college admissions is based on  grade point averages and student's performance on standardized test such as the ACT or SAT. Many parents invest money in sophisticated desktop/ laptop computers to give their children access to the worldwide web. Some establish home offices, libraries and structured areas to encourage daily homework and studying as many believe constant studying and attention to homework will groom their children to brilliant status and give them impeccable credentials. To a certain extent, those parents are correct. Homework and study skills lay the basic foundation for school success as high grade point averages flow from high test scores.

Memory skills and repetition is the key to high grade point averages; however, they are not the key to brilliance on standardized test. Standardized test, such as California Achievement Test (CAT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), assumes students are exposed to different cultures, climates, countries and experiences at least 10 times before reaching 10th grade. Students who perform the best on standardized test have exposure to diverse experiences. What better way to gain this exposure than a vacation to another city, state, country or continent!!!!! Wealthy families have always known that trips, getaways and vacations are the secret to grooming brilliant students. Family vacations are an opportunity for students to apply all their classroom knowledge quickly. The average vacation is three to seven days. Some wealthy families are known to vacation up to 45 days on multiple continents. Nevertheless, most families are on a limited timeframe requiring them to make quick decisions regarding currency exchange, climate differences, navigation of city, etc.

These decisions while extremely practical require the use of mathematics, science, geography, social studies and reading. Unconsciously, students are immersed into lessons fueled by sheer excitement and curiosity. Imagine how productive the lesson would become if a family vacation evolves around a classroom lesson. Children learn lessons at a faster pace. A train trip to an Indian Reservation in Arizona/ New Mexico really solidifies a lesson on Native American History.  A field trip to the Africa, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Europe or South America solidifies lessons in currency exchange, physics, climate, geography, history, art and music culture. Unfortunately, impoverished students do not have the resources to afford these trips and are, hence, are at a distinct disadvantage in performing well on standardized exams especially since these exams assume exposure to different cultures, climates, countries, and experiences at least 10 times before reaching 10th grade.

Explorations & Exposures  was created to expose students to new cultures, and situations. Here is a listing of field trips attended:  Social Etiquette                             December 2006 Students were treated to lunch  at  Detroit Breakfast House, Hard Rock Cafe, Seldom  Blues, The Woodward to practice Social etiquette skills. Many students had never visited restuarants of this caliber Automotive Education               January 2007 Students  attended the Automotive Education Day at the North American International Auto Show. These teenage car enthusiast were able to view the car as more than a transportation vehicle but rather than  a sum of highly designed parts. A few have decided to pursue careers as Automotive Designers and Automotive Engineers.

Cultural Crawl                              April 2007 Students attended the African American Museum, Detroit Institute of Art,  Hitsville USA and the International Institute. This trip will be an introductory session to teach students to appreciate history and the museums who present this history. Mexicantown                              May 2007 Students will visit Mexicantown to visit pre Cinco De Mayo Celebrations and to eat an authentic Mexican lunch so as to appreciate a different but vibrant culture. Chicago                                      June 2007 Students transported to Chicago via train to visit the Chicago Board of Trade and The Color Purple production to reinforce Economic and Language Arts/ Drama lessons. This was a two day trip.

Toronto                       September  2008 Students will visit Toronto for 3 days and 2 nights to experience and international city, its tourist attractions and cultural exchange with a fellow high school.   Miami                   December 2008 Students will visit the Little Havana, the Everglades, Gator Park, Parrot Jungle Island, one day cruise at sea and of course South Miami Beach.       Mexico                 May 2009  For Spanish language learners only. Visit Mexico City to experience a few days at a typical high school.   Visit Aztec and Mayan Ruins.Tour to Yucatan Penisula.

China                                        May 2009   For Chinese language learners only. Visit Shanghai China to experience a few days at a typical high school. Visit Yuyan Gardens, Shanghai Musuem, Jade Buddha Temple,Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Tian'anmen square.   Program based on an article, Wealthy Families' Secret to Groom Brilliant Students, written by Ida Byrd-Hill for Living In Style Online, Previous edition Interested in aiding young people achieve college admissions by providing a mechanism to conquer standardized test, DONATE   Looking for Discount International Airfare    Articles for Good Reading Power Trips for Tots Travel Broadens Horizons Broaden Your Horizons

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